Thulani Hlatswayo, Lebogang Manyama and Hlompho Kekana says they are honoured to be nominated for the Footballer of the Season award.

Hlatswayo has been nominated in three categories, which include Footballer of the Season, Absa Premiership Defender of the Season and MTN8 Last Man Standing awards.

‘I am honoured to have been nominated for these awards and I know I am up against top players,’ Hlatshwayo said.

The Wits captain went on to praise the club’s new signing, Daylon Claasen, after he joined the Clever Boys as a free agent following his release by Bundesliga II side TSV 1860 Munich.

‘I played with Daylon in the past at Ajax and in the national team, he will bring a lot of quality,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Manyama, who has already walked away with the Absa Premiership Top Goal Scorer award, was nominated for the Footballer of the Season, Absa Premiership Player’s Player of the Season, Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament and MTN8 Last Man Standing.

‘To be nominated in this category against such players is an honour for me,’ Manyama said.

‘Huge respect for Hlompho Kekana and Hlatshwayo. They are both captains of arguably the two biggest teams in SA right now.

‘I have to be confident, but at the same time I need to be humble and respect the other guys.’

Kekana picked up two nominations, including the Footballer of the Season and the Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season.

‘We are all leaders at our teams and it is a tough category. We have worked hard to be here,’ Kekana said.

‘I am not only representing myself, I represent people from the villages and I always try not to disappoint my people.’

The Sundowns captain says he is hoping that the Brazilians can retain the Absa Premiership title, after failing to defend the trophy during the 2016-17 campaign.

‘Hopefully, next season we will reclaim our league,’ he added.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix